Brussels ‘gets its smile back’ after terror attacks

The sun rises through the Arcade du Cinquantenaire in Brussels' European Quarter | Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images

UK

The Financial Times led with a story on former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili being freed from a police van by his supporters after he was arrested on Tuesday in Kiev. The daily also reported James Murdoch was tipped to become the new CEO of Disney if the company follows through on its takeover of Fox. The Guardian reported on growing pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May “after jolt to Brexit talks,” as well as on the death of former model Christine Keeler, who died at the age of 75. Keeler was involved in the so-called Profumo affair in the sixties. The Daily Telegraph also paid tribute to her, with the headline: “Keeler, the face of infamous sixties scandal, dies aged 75.” The Telegraph also reported on an alleged Islamic terror plot to kill Theresa May, which was foiled by security services.

France

Many French papers led with tributes to French novelist Jean d’Ormesson, who died at the age of 92 on Tuesday. Le Figaro featured a full-page portrait of d’Ormesson, calling him the “enchanting one” and saying “goodbye and thank you.” Le Monde dubbed him “elegant.” Libération said d’Ormesson was now on his tour “to paradise.” The paper also reported on the EU’s blacklist of tax havens, announced Tuesday.

Belgium

French-speaking Le Soir reported on tourism recovering from the negative impact of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks. “Brussels tourism gets its smile back,” Le Soir wrote, noting the tourism industry had recovered to a pre-attacks level. Dutch-speaking De Morgen led with a story on rising costs for patients in Belgian hospitals.

Germany

Der Tagesspiegel led with the news Russia had been banned from the Winter Olympics, saying “Olympics without Russian flag.” Der Tagesspiegel reported on the news U.S. President Donald Trump was expected to announce Wednesday that he sees Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and wants to move the U.S. embassy there. “Arabic world shocked by Trump,” Der Tagesspiegel wrote. Die Welt led with Saakashvili, writing of the “anarchy in Kiev.” Die Welt also featured comments made by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel that the traditional ties between Europe and the United States are “crumbling.” Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung featured a story on Finnish Independence Day, saying Finns “can do more than just sauna.” The paper also reported on raids across the country connected to the violence at the G20 summit in July earlier this year.

Spain

Most Spanish papers reported on news that a Supreme Court judge on Tuesday dropped a European Arrest Warrant that had been issued to seek the deportation of ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his ministers from Belgium. El Pais also featured a story on Saakashvili.